Role of BBIFMAC

Current Management Committee Members (2015-2016)

Doug Sockhill - BBIFMAC Chairman

I have been involved with production in sugar mills since 1983, mainly in the Burdekin and Herbert districts. I have also had a role in environment management at a group level for CSR sugar mills and now Sucrogen. In this environment role, the main aspects have been liasing with DERM on our licensing arrangements and doing internal reports for the mills. I have been involved in doing environmental audits for sugar mills, and have recently finished SHE auditor training. My interest in the environment stems from the perspective that good environment management normally leads to better financial results, it’s a win win.

David Beneke - BBIFMAC Treasurer

I come from a farming and grazing background in North Western New South Wales. I attended school and university in the New England district of New South Wales. My professional career has centred around education. I have been involved in rural education in Northern Australia in practical agricultural education.

Ivan Garrod - Management Committee Member (Bowen)

Born London 1936 Arrived Bowen 1950 worked on farms tomatoes pumpkins etc and tobacco both in Bowen and Clair 'and Cane in Home Hill Worked at the meat works as a boner in the season and other jobs in the slack season. Owned a charter boat in the 60s charter fishing. master grade1V became a tug skipper in Bowen 1974 worked in Brisbane then back to Bowen meatworks then construction first stage Abbott Point then line boat master and casual mate at Abbott Point.

Bill Lucas - Management Committee Member

I was born in Home Hill in 1934. I was educated at Osborne School outside of Home Hill and Thornburgh College in Charters Towers. I was apprenticed to be a fitter and turner at Home Hill Engineering Works in 1951. In 1956 I started work on the family cane farm in the Osborne area and purchased it in about 1964. I am now retired and my son runs the cane farm. I have served on the South Burdekin Water Board for six years until I passed the farm over. I served in executive positions at the Osborne Primary School and the Home Hill High School P&C. My main interest is in irrigated agriculture and to make sure we can develop the north to its maximum potential.

Steve Attard - Management Committee Member

I have lived in the Burdekin since 1995 and after a short period teaching at Ayr State High School, joined CSIRO. Since then I have worked on sugarcane farming systems (particularly water and nutrient management), as well as variety improvement. My work has taken me throughout the Australian sugarcane industry, as well as other agricultural areas, and as such I have really appreciated how important a reliable, good quality water supply is.